BRIEFS: Romans, Lanerie close Churchill meet on strong note

Michael J. Bruder's Guys Reward won the Grade II, $165,900 Firecracker Handicap by two lengths over Seruni on Sunday night to close out the 38-day spring meet at Churchill Downs. Turallure, the 3-5 favorite in the field of five older horses, finished fourth.Guys Reward ran one mile in 1:38.46 on a Matt Winn Turf Course in what was the slowest clocking in the race's two-decade history. Churchill Downs' meet leaders, trainer Dale Romans and jockey Corey Lanerie, teamed for the win. "It was a good way to end the meet," said Romans, who won his ninth training title at the track and first since 2006 with 23 wins. Guys Rewards has a penchant for Churchill Downs. Five of his seven career victories have come over the Churchill Downs turf course, including three this season. The victory worth $102,858 increased Guys Rewards' earnings to $516,155.

DRAG RACING

Enders first woman to win in pro stock

Erica Enders became the first female driver to win an NHRA Pro Stock race, beating four-time series champion Greg Anderson on Sunday in the final of the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.Enders, one of only six women to ever compete in the 200-mph category, drove her Chevy Cobalt to a pass of 6.627 seconds at 207.40 mph. The 28-year-old Houston driver raced past Kurt Johnson, Vincent Nobile and V. Gaines in the first three rounds to advance to her seventh career final round. She's the 12th female winner in an NHRA pro category race.

SOCCER

Eagles add four men's recruits

The University of Southern Indiana men's soccer team has added four recruits to the roster for the fall. Committing to USI head coach Mat Santoro are forward Zach Galloway (Rockwall, Texas), midfielder Patrick Reilly (Collierville, Tenn.) and defenders Andy Hamilton of Evansville and Travis Williams of Washington. Hamilton played at Mater Dei and played for the Evansville Soccer Club that won the 2010 State Cup. Williams was a first-team all-state selection.

RUNNING

USI's Night Flight races are July 28

The University of Southern Indiana will hold its 35th annual Night Flight Road Run on July 28 with a four-mile run or walk, a mile run as well as a half-mile run for kids seven and under. The entry fee is $20 — $15 for the half-mile run — for those who register before July 21. Anyone participating in more than one event should add $5 and submit an additional entry fee. Online registration is available atwww.facebook.com/usinightflight. The races begin at 7:45 p.m. and are spaced 15 minutes apart. Proceeds help fund the USI cross country/track and field programs. For more information go to gousieagles.com or contact the USI cross country office at 812-465-1232.

athletics

VU duo earn NJCAA academic honors

Vincennes University sophomores Gabrielle Kuhn, a member of the cross country and track teams, and baseball player Steve Lowden each received Exemplary Academic Achievement status from the NJCAA. Kuhn's grade-point average for the year was 3.73, while Lowden recorded a 3.67 GPA.